Alienware Becoming... Mainstream?!

[*Daedalus]

Alienware M17x Laptop Details | Dell

It seems to me, with a laptop like this being a lot more accessable to the general public than their usually ~$2,000 units, and having the tech-fad of the week *ahem* 3D capability, it'll appeal to a lot of the "more money than sense" crowd.

One of th reasons this laptop is comparitively cheap at $1,500 base price, is that Alienware decided to do away with the M17x's aluminium chassis in place of a "soft touch" material - I'd assume thick plastic with a textures rubber coating. Shame on you Alienware, shame.

Rumour is however that Alienware will be releasing an M18x PM67 chipset behemoth to satisfy its traditional hardcore gamer market some time early Q2. I for one hope that Alienware don't move (too far) away from their niche market of OTT portable gaming machines.

Side note: If - and it's a big if - a more capable GPU, say the 480/485/6970 gets a place in the M17x-R3, I'll be picking one up over the Summer. Is it too much to ask for a high-end GPU and Optimus in a laptop?

[>Omen<]

Originally Posted by *Daedalus

One of th reasons this laptop is comparitively cheap at $1,500 base price, is that Alienware decided to do away with the M17x's aluminium chassis in place of a "soft touch" material...

Yeah personally I'd rather have the alu shell than 3D capability. Never took too much interest in 3D and I'm still skeptical that even the latest greatest gen of it might cause me eye strain.

[Dragokatzov]

I've noticed this too. Dell has made it a lot easier to buy alienware. But, alienware just isn't what it use to be it seems. Yeah, they have their ultra high end computers with cool looking cases, and awesome specs, but its just not the same. At least not to me

[Red_Fist]

I dunno, did Dell buy them? if so, thats all you need to know, like, "we just order from corporate".

Not that Dell is the "brand" but alien-ware is not "alien-ware" anymore, if thats the case.

[random_soldier1337]

That's really great you know. But seriously if you guys are saying that it's expensive in the US, you haven't seen the prices everywhere else in the world.

It costs $2800+ in all the countries I have been to here in Asia. At least last time I checked anyways which was like 5 months ago.

I doubt it'll go lower than $2000. And even at the price in the US, the only people with the money to buy it would be either those that have a certain job where they make lots of money but have no use or can't afford to use a gaming LT or those who are too stupid to spend their money wisely.

[*Daedalus]

I'm from Ireland. Believe me, I know how ripped off the rest of the world is in comparison.

US M17x-R3 base model: $1,499.
IRL M17x-R3 base model: $2,675 (equivilent).

Don't even get me started on when you add expensive parts. The only reason I had an M17x is because I got it in the States the year before last.

[random_soldier1337]

I know.

Lots of people say to use the internet or Fedex. But I'm a bit touchy about internet transactions.

And then there's getting it transported by Fedex or whomever.
I'm not sure about the charges but even if they don't add up to the charges of buying an alienware from where you live, what are the chances of you getting ripped off somehow because you're package ended up in terrible condition (not operational) or didn't get transported to the right place or somebody else basically stole the package through "legitimate" methods (can happen in highly corrupt countries)??? Who's gonna take the responsibility then??
I'd say the chances of such things happening are pretty high, especially, when you live on the other side of the world. So it's a no go anyways.

Can somebody actually pose a good reason for alienware nearly doubling their price for anywhere outside of the US??

I mean, what, is it like A Lamborghini or some other uber-rich class car that you're using local resources and workers for and only the blueprints are of the engineer of the original country which is why they have to up the price 2x-3x so that they can make up for their profit margin because the locals don't have all the good stuff of wherever the car was made.

[Mr. Pedantic]

I'm not sure about the charges but even if they don't add up to the charges of buying an alienware from where you live, what are the chances of you getting ripped off somehow because you're package ended up in terrible condition (not operational) or didn't get transported to the right place or somebody else basically stole the package through "legitimate" methods (can happen in highly corrupt countries)??? Who's gonna take the responsibility then??

Here, if you're ordering something online, usually the company you're buying from gives you the option of paying $3-5 extra to have the package traced - every step of the way the parcel is signed for, and this is viewable on the website. So basically if you don't get it, then you can see where something went wrong.

[Red_Fist]

""Can somebody actually pose a good reason for alienware nearly doubling their price for anywhere outside of the US??""

Between warranty and shipping it probably isn't cost effective.

People would have to send stuff back, then if they fix it for free, then pay again to ship it back.

[*Daedalus]

Nope. Dell has an international warranty. Shipping fees would be one-time only.

Having said that, import taxes would screw most people over.